Health

In South Korea, an outbreak of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) had killed 33 people and sickened at least 185 more as of press time.

The outbreak was traced back to a Korean man who returned from a trip to the Middle East in early May and sought medical care at several hospitals before being diagnosed. At one point, more than 6,700 people who may have been exposed were kept in quarantine. On June 26, after 14 days with no new MERS cases, two hospitals in Daejeon had their quarantines lifted.

Could a 14-year-old girl find happiness taking Spanish lessons in Guatemala with her 75-year-old grandparents? We hoped so! 

Since the first case of ebola was reported in Guinea in December 2013, more than 6,500 people in West Africa have been infected by the virus and more than 3,000 of them have died. At least 375 health workers, themselves, have been infected, and at least 211 have died. 

Liberia has been hit hardest, with more than 1,800 deaths, while Guinea and Sierra Leone each have suffered more than 600 deaths. Quarantine and curfew efforts in Sierra Leone and Guinea have failed to stop the spread of the disease, which health officials feared could infect 20,000 people by November. 

The service organization Projects Abroad (347 West 36th St., Ste. 903, New York, NY 10018; 888/839-3535, www.projects-abroad.org), which specializes in volunteer vacations and short-term assignments, began as a way to help young people during their “gap” year (between high school and college) but now accepts volunteers between the ages of 16 and 75.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s “Yellow Book,” actually titled “CDC Health Information for International Travel” (2010, Mosby. ISBN 9780702034817 — 540 pp., $29.95 paperback), has comprehensive information on medical issues to help travelers prepare for trips and stay healthy while abroad. 

Among topics covered are respiratory infections, drug-drug interactions and mental health. It is updated every two years; the 2010 edition was released in July.

CHOLERA — Cases of cholera have been reported in all of Zimbabwe’s provinces and in many other African nations. From Aug. 26, 2008, through March 16, 2009, 91,265 suspected cases and 4,030 deaths were reported in Zimbabwe. The disease is spread through untreated sewage and contaminated drinking water.

MENINGITIS — Since January 2009, health officials in India have reported 230 deaths and 2,000 possible cases of meningitis in the northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram. 

Available only in conjunction with any of their travel insurance or medical evacuation plans, Medex Global Group, Inc. (Baltimore, MD; 800/537-2029 or 410/453-6300, www.medexassist.com) offers analyses of the quality of health care and medical facilities in any of 237 countries.

Each 360°m Global Medical Monitor report covers one country’s current medical alerts, top diseases, required vaccinations, health care conditions and medical risk ratings and also lists local preferred hospitals and Medex emergency contact information.

The rabies outbreak that began in 2008 in Bali, Indonesia, continues, with 78 deaths reported to date. The Indonesian government is attempting to vaccinate all dogs on the island; 300,000 dogs been vaccinated so far and over 20,000 strays euthanized.

As of August, 34,000 bites had been reported in Bali this year.

The CDC advises avoiding contact with animals (both domestic and wild), considering getting the rabies vaccine before visiting Bali and acting quickly if bitten or scratched. (Wash the wound immediately and see a doctor, even if you don’t feel sick.)

The Wall Street Journal article “Slippery Slope: Famous Sidewalks Of Lisbon Have Concrete Competition” by Patricia Kowsmann (June 2, 2014) speaks of the beautiful, colorful, 5-inch-wide, limestone cube tiles that were painstakingly crafted and laid alongside Lisbon’s streets during the 19th century.

Reading the Feature Article “Cuba – A Long Weekend in Old Havana” (June ’14, pg. 6), I felt the need to compare the author’s experience with our February 2004 visit to Cuba.

Volunteer groups affiliated with nonprofit agencies may visit Cuba. A cursory website search reveals numerous opportunities for volunteer trips. Educational and cultural visits to Cuba are also happening all the time.